Commissioner condemns killing of inspector

Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams and the Police High Command are strongly condemning the killing of inspector Mark Gibbs who succumbed to injuries he received in a hit-and-run collision on the Clarks Town main road in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Friday.

Inspector Gibbs was the sub-officer in charge of the Clarks Town Police Station in Trelawny.

Reports are that about 4:51 p.m., the inspector was a part of a team conducting Vehicular Check Point (VCP) when he signalled the driver of a burgundy Toyota Corolla motor car to stop. The driver disobeyed and mowed down the inspector on the side of the road and sped away. The cop was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators have since found the motor car that was hidden in bushes in the Clarks Town area. One man suspected to be the driver is now in police custody. However, his identity is being withheld pending further investigations.

While mourning the officer's death, Williams says this seems to be an attack on the police force.

“Even as the JCF is mourning the loss of another member under such tragic circumstances, which seems to be a blatant attack on our members, I want to implore officers to remain resolute in the performance of their duties, be vigilant, take swift decisive action to protect themselves, family, colleagues and members of the public within the remit of the law,” Williams said.

This is the second incident in one week where a police officer was killed by a motorist who failed to stop. Constable Mark Rose was hit by a motor vehicle while trying to cross the road in Jobs Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine on August 13.